Crosby has been key for Clippers

PORTSMOUTH — When the Portsmouth High School football team needs someone to step up in challenging circumstances, senior Dillon Crosby has been the man.

Crosby is a power running back and one of the most reliable athletes for the Clippers, who have needed his steady play while battling injuries throughout the season. Crosby has rushed for 640 yards and seven touchdowns on 115 carries; he also has five receptions for 134 yards and a touchdown.

“He’s a tough kid, he’s a competitor,” said Portsmouth coach Bill Murphy. “He’s a very good athlete and when a game is on the line, he wants the ball.”

Crosby should see plenty of action for third-seeded Portsmouth (7-2, 6-2 Division III) in today’s Division III semifinal at No. 2 Milford (7-3, 6-2). When a player carries the ball as much as Crosby does, he faces plenty of punishment from the defense. More often than not, Crosby shakes it off.

“He takes a lot of carries, he gets hit a lot, but he seems to be able to withstand that,” said Murphy. “If he does have injuries, it’s not anything that we’re aware of.

“If I was a defender, I wouldn’t want him running at me,” Murphy added.

Crosby is also a starter at outside linebacker on defense. He is a versatile athlete who also competes in baseball, basketball, track and swimming, but he has been a football player since his days with the Little Clippers and has been a varsity starter for three years.

“He’s a really aggressive kid on the field and he does his job,” said sophomore defensive tackle Justis Mattis.

Last week Crosby even saw some time at quarterback during Portsmouth’s 34-0 win over Alvirne. With the Clippers’ top two quarterbacks sidelined due to injuries, Crosby at times lined up under center in the Wildcat formation. He ran for 109 yards and two touchdowns.

“It was fun, it was exciting,” Crosby said. “I stepped up and took the job.”

Crosby is also a leader on his team as one of the captains.

“I just get them motivated to play,” said Crosby. “I lead by example.”

His leadership style tends be seen in his performance on the field.

“What he does on the field motivates us to do better,” Mattis said. “He’s a good role model to look up to for a younger guy.”

Beyond high school, Crosby is steering his athletic career toward the baseball diamond. Southern New Hampshire University, UMass-Lowell and the University of Maine are among the schools he is considering.

Quarterbacks Donovan Phanor and Travis MacDonald have been in and out of the lineup the past few weeks due to injury. Murphy said Phanor should be ready to go for today’s game, but MacDonald is still uncertain. If needed, Crosby could again see some time under center against the Spartans.

“We’ll use him every way that we can,” Murphy said. “He can return kicks, he’s a fine defensive player, and offensively he’s our go-to guy right now.”

Crosby is happy to play in whatever situations his coaches put him in.